Friend Of Ours, This Jesus

In the Word of God, we are told that Jesus is a FRIEND, that sticks to us, closer than a brother (Proverbs 18:24b). The sad thing is, so often we don't really know it, or haven't yet experienced such an intimate friendship with Jesus, in such a personal way. This was the case in my own life, for the first half of it. I did not have a personal relationship with Jesus, and because of it, my life was most empty. Oh yes, I believed in Jesus (in my head), but only saw Him in my mind, as somewhere far away, way above the clouds. I did not know Him in my heart, and that's where it count's the most ... a relationship of the heart. My life became so miserable, even to the point of no longer wanting to live, and it was in that very place, that I met Jesus in a most personal way, and it was at that time, I realized I had just met this most awesome, wonderful, caring, loving, precious FRIEND ... a FRIEND like no other ... a "true" FRIEND. Instantly, upon opening my heart to Him, I knew this! Within my heart, I knew He would always be faithful and true to me, that He'd always love me, and that I'd never again experience that alone and empty feeling. Such love did I experience when I told Jesus I wanted to know if He was real, and that if He was, to please "show me". Never had I known such love! That was many years ago, and I can still say today, He is my very best FRIEND, and He has always been most faithful and true to me ... so loving, caring and kind.

Let's take a look at a few verses that tell of His faithfulness to us: From the Amplified Bible: Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] and utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you] ... (1 Thessalonians 5:24).

Here we are told that Christ Himself is trustworthy, and will keep us, fulfilling His perfect will in our lives. We only need to entrust our hearts into His keeping. He is faithful to do that which is promised in this scripture verse.

Faithful is He to keep you from the evil one: Again, from the Amplified Bible: Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] and set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one] (2 Thessalonians 3:3).

Of course, this is not to say that you will never experience trials, and battles, as the word of God says that you will, however, Christ's promise to you is, He will keep you from the grips of the evil one throughout your lifetime. His mighty hand will remain upon you, protecting you.

He is faithful to forgive us: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9 KJV).

If we have sinned against Him, He is faithful to forgive us, and to cleanse us (to make free from sin and faults, to purify), as well. This of course, doesn't give us license to go on purposely sinning (or doing those things we know are wrong), besides, why would we want to sin against the most wonderful Friend we've ever known? Rather than continuing in sin, we ought to take our sins to Him in prayer, and trust in His faithfulness to free us from whatever bondages we might be experiencing in our life. If you miss the mark again, come to Him again, and just keep on coming. Because of His faithfulness, you will find freedom, just as this next verse promises: And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen (Revelation 1:5 KJV).

I especially want to thank You Jesus, for Your precious friendship to me. May this same friendship become a reality to those who might be reading this today, who perhaps have not yet come into such a friendship with You. Touch their lives with Your loving hand, and may they never be the same. I bless You Jesus, and pray in Your name ... Amen! Walk in the presence of His love this day, and be most blessed! Marcia